Ryan Rickelton, the MI opener who has been in some unstoppable form since his comeback to the playing XI after Quinton de Kock’s injury, has claimed that he was abused by his teammate after having missed out on a chance to score his second century of the season.
The Mumbai Indians have been struggling for form this season as they have just managed 6 points after having played 10 matches this season. They are placed ninth in the points table and are mathematically out of the race for the playoffs this season, with just four matches left this season.
However, Mumbai has had an immense dilemma on its batting front, as the IPL allows not more than four overseas cricketers in the playing XI. However, MI has a high-quality pack of overseas cricketers who have dominated more than their Indian lot this season.
“It’s been tricky,” Ryan Rickelton explains the fight for the top spot in the MI playing XI
Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock are competing for the same spot in the Mumbai Indians’ playing XI; however, off the field, the two South Africans have shared a massive bond with each other.
“It’s been tricky, I suppose, to have a guy of Quinny’s caliber sitting on the bench at the start of the season. It was tricky to manage mentally because maybe you’re burning yourself with a bit more pressure to do well because you have a guy who’s flipping good sitting behind you, and the whole world’s screaming to pick him.
“So, trying to manage your way through that has a few challenges, and you can put yourself under a bit too much pressure. But on the flip side of that, I got an opportunity when he did some damage to his hand,” he said.
“He was the first person to absolutely abuse me tonight,” Ryan Rickelton makes a massive revelation after a win against LSG
After Quinton de Kock picked up a massive injury to his wrist that ruled him out, Ryan Rickelton was expected to return to the playing XI. He revealed that they have shared an excellent bond with Quinton de Kock and were the first people to ‘abuse’ him for being dismissed before completing his century.
“And I still back my game, I still back my skill, and the opportunity was there. I just really want to try to represent this team globally as well, but this team in general, Mumbai Indians. So, it’s always healthy competition. We’re very supportive of each other.
“I mean, he was the first person to absolutely abuse me tonight, saying I threw away a hundred, which I agree with. So, yeah, he’s very supportive,” he continued.
Ryan Rickelton reveals how QDK has been helping him improve his batting skills
Since his return to the playing XI, he has amassed 243 runs in the last three games and has averaged 121.5. In eight matches, he is also the highest run-getter for the Mumbai Indians this season with 380 runs from eight appearances.
He has been striking with a whopping strike rate of 190+. Ever since the T20 World Cup, he has been looking to retain his spot, with Quinton de Kock returning to the mix after having made a comeback from his international retirement. Ryan Rickelton now reveals that de Kock has been helping him improve a lot during this tournament.
“He’s helped me a lot this tournament. He’s watched my batting, and he’s tweaking things along the way to help. I’m not sure what the structure is. So, yeah, it’s worked the way it’s worked so far,” he concluded.
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